How to Be an Ally
As human beings, we all have the power to stand up for the rights of others. We all have the power to make positive change. And for real change to occur, the majority must help support and advocate for the minority. We need a movement that can inspire sustainable change.
What is an ally? Simply put, an ally is anyone who supports or empowers others.
Ask yourself, how can I be an effective ally?
Be human first — lead with empathy, make it personal and be open to change
Get comfortable being uncomfortable
Start to stand up and take action!
Being an ally does not require big-picture thinking, like planning an event or starting a new project. All that is required to be an effective ally is to act and speak out consistently, day-to-day. It's all about becoming actionable — someone who ensures that their words and actions are in sync. This means taking smaller, individual acts that, over time, help to promote a more inclusive environment. By helping your community, these acts of allyship can have a significant impact by raising others up and reducing hatred. This takes consistent work over time to provide everyone the opportunity to grow, learn and build confidence.
It’s a life-long commitment to make a difference in the world and in your community. We can do this together.
Make decisions with empathy and always be open to change. Why is it so hard for us to treat others with empathy? Fear. The fear of confrontation and saying the wrong thing can prevent people from addressing issues in a constructive manner. In order to be an effective ally, it is important to recognize that being an ally is a skill we all need to develop. You build these skills by doing and you have to be willing to make mistakes.
It's important that people don't just sit on the sidelines. The world needs us to make changes now.
Become an actionable ally and align your words and with your actions. Words without deeds are detrimental and suppress anyone's ability to improve our culture and our communities.
How to be an ally? Look at your community and provide support to those in need. Take the necessary action to aid others and provide opportunities that would otherwise not be a possibility for them.
Be the change you want to see in the world ~ Mahatma Gandhi
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